Swaging device for use within a die apparatus

Abstract

An improved swaging device is described which is incorporated within a die apparatus and adapted for operating in conjunction therewith. The device comprises a housing which includes an upstanding substantially annular portion defining a plurality of open channels therein, a plurality of swaging members each oriented within one of the annular portion's channels, and an acutation member adapted for rotational movement about the housing's annular portion to concurrently activate the swaging members and effect a swage on a wire intermittently passing through said die apparatus.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. In a die apparatus including a stationary lower base member and a movable upper shoe member and incorporating a swaging device therein operating in conjunction with said die apparatus for swaging a wire intermittently passing through said die apparatus, the improvement wherein said swaging device comprises: a housing secured to said stationary lower base member of said die apparatus, said housing having a first opening therein for permitting said wire to pass therethrough and having an annular portion projecting therefrom in alignment with said first opening, said annular portion having a plurality of spacedly and radially positioned channels therein, said channels at their inner ends meeting to form a second opening aligned with the first opening and in communication therewith,   a swaging member slidably carried in each of the aforesaid channels, the inner end of each swaging member being configured to cooperate with that of the other swaging members to produce the desired swaging action, the outer end of each swaging member having a cam surface shaped to provide the desired travel of the swaging member in its channel,   an actuator comprising a substantially annular body having its inner circular surface fitting over the outer surface of the annular portion projecting from the housing for rotation thereabout, a plurality of cylindrical pins carried by the annular body and positioned for alignment with the swaging members, a portion of the outer cylindrical surface of each pin extending beyond the inner surface of the annular body to engage the cam surface of its respective swaging member, and an arm extending from the annular body and operatively connected to the movable upper shoe member of said die apparatus, whereby upon downward movement of the upper shoe member the actuator arm is moved so as to cause the actuator body to rotate about the annular portion projecting from the housing thereby causing the pins to move over their respective cam surfaces to drive the swaging member inwardly to deform the wire.   
     
     
       2. The improvement according to claim 1 wherein the number of said open channels within said upstanding annular portion of said housing is four, said channels disposed at approximately 90° intervals about said second opening defined by said annular portion. 
     
     
       3. The improvement according to claim 2 wherein the number of said swaging members is four. 
     
     
       4. The invention as set forth in claim 1 and wherein the cylindrical pins are sized to fit rotatably in the annular body so that they will rotate upon engaging the cam surface on the swaging members to reduce wear. 
     
     
       5. The improvement according to claim 4 including a plurality of springs spacedly positioned within said housing, each of said springs operatively joined to one of said swaging members for providing movement of said swaging members away from said wire when said actuation member is not actuating said swaging members. 
     
     
       6. The improvement according to claim 4 further including an adjustable stop positioned within said lower base member of said die apparatus in alignment with said extending arm portion of said actuation member for engaging said arm portion during said rotative movement of said actuation member to define the extent of movement thereof. 
     
     
       7. The improvement according to claim 4 further including an engagement member positioned within said movable upper shoe member of said die apparatus, said engagement member engaging said extending arm portion of said actuation member to effect said rotative movement of said actuation member. 
     
     
       8. The improvement according to claim 7 further including a cover member secured to said body portion of said actuation member to substantially cover said swaging members within said open channels, said cover defining a third opening therein for permitting said wire to pass therethrough, said third opening in alignment with said second opening defined by said upstanding annular portion of said housing. 
     
     
       9. The improvement according to claim 8 further including a spring member secured to said lower base member at said housing and operatively joined to said extending arm portion of said actuation member for assisting said rotative movement of said actuation member.